Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-01-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.


WASHINGTON, Jan. "a, 1887.
The past week IN Congress may very APP
propriolely be called pension week, mas
much az more money was voted out of the
Treasury for this purpose than in any one
week during the present session. And
now there is a proposition before Congress
to establish n civil pension list, for the
benefit of Governmet employees who have
been thirty or forty years at their desks.
This oi course meets with unqualified ap-
proval from all the Department clerks, but
it will probably meet vigorous opposi-
tion from the spollsmen in and out OF Com
gress.
They will hold that instead OF devising
schemes for prolOnging the tenure Of office
Congress had far better ret fixed limit to
terms OF official service, and adopt the pol
icy Of rotation.
But rising above nll political considera-
tions, the Government could scarcely do a
worse thing ior the young men of the
| country than 10 tempt them with its sub
ordinate clerk.ships, with guaranty Of
retiring them on pension thirty or forty
years aflerward. No man should sit at a
desk IN the Departments and copy letters
or add up 6gnres for whole lifetime He
owes something more to himself than to
enter upon such condition of servilude.
A rececent scene in an executive session
of the Senate has furnished fresh pabulum
for the opponents OF secret sessions, and
now one hears "star chamber rowdyism''
rung on 20 many changes. Ii was Senator
| Riddleberger who stirred the Senate up.
The British extradition treaty being under
| discussion, he denounced il rs Il scheme 10
curry favor with British tyrants, and said
Senators need not hope TO hide their votes
/ on the treaty. lie declared that he would
make it his duty 10 publish the vote re.
gardless of the rules.
This aroused Senators Edmunds, Evarls,
Frye, and others, who undertook to con-
vince the Virginia Senator that he was
amenahle to the rules ut all times. Mr..
Riddleberger defied the rules, and SAID he
would dare the Senate TO expell him Tor
making public votes that would sacrifice
the principles of this Government.
AT one time several Senators we're shout.
ing at the top Of their voices, so that they
were distinctly heard 10 the corridors and
adjoining committee rooms. The excited
remarks were directed at Senator Riddle
berger and he was doing his best to shout
back at four or fye Senators who were
shouting at him.
The new Senaior-elect from New
York, Congressman Hiscock, will he con-
rpicious IN the Senate through his wide
knowledge Of everything relating to ap.
preparations for the various department.
OF the Government. In general debate
lie will compare favorably with any OF the
Senators. lie may never aslonish his au-
dilors there with his brilliancy, but he il
sure TO satisfy them always with his good
sense aud knowledge Of business aif,ira.
| Mr.. Hiscock has been called All indolcnI
man because he lns AN appearance Of re-
pose and Is very deliberate in his move
ments. His nature seems TO be contradic-
tory, however, Tor there are times when h,
IL furiouSly energetic and industrious
lie has tall, well rounded, porlly figure,
and peculiar mouth which IL said 10 re-
semble that seen in the statute Of young
Augustus Caesar. Some people say Mr.
iliscock shaves his uppor lip on accoun
Of the curves Of this peculiar month
which a mouslache, if permitted to grow
would hide.
An indefinite ndmber Of millions repres
enicd in the person Of Mr. George Hears
will, next session, resume the seat they
lately occupied in the Senate wing of III,
Capitol. Mr.. Iiesrst win be distinguished
for being one Of the richest men IN III,
Senate, ile money lie l,as acquired being
his only title TO consideration, social oil
political. lie occupied a seat in the Sem
ate few weeks las; year, having been ap
pointed by the Democratic Governor ol
California TO fll the vacancy caused by
the death oi Senator Miller. His brie
ca reer there WAS u greater failure than Mr.
| TubOr's, for the, latter had sense enough
not 10 Try TO make speech, but Mr.
HeaIst di,l not.